Leading liberal think tank gearing up for 2016 elections

The influential liberal think tank Center for American Progress, with ties to both the Obama and Clinton administrations, wants December to be a key fundraising month as it readies for a fight over "big ideas," such as climate change and national security, in the 2016 election year.

"Throughout December, we will be sharing with you some of the highlights from our year of big ideas," said the group's president and CEO Neera Tanden in a message to supporters Tuesday. "And since big ideas take a lot of work to develop and fight for, I hope you will consider making a donation as we enter the final month before the upcoming election year."

The progressive think tank was started by John Podesta, President Obama's former climate change adviser and former President Bill Clinton's chief of staff. He is currently chairman of the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign for president. His group has been an influential voice on energy and climate policy over the years, and has been looked to by Democrats as an authority on a number of issues.

Tanden, who took over as CEO after Podesta stepped down a few years ago, said 2015 was a good year for developing "big, bold ideas that are backed up by evidence and include practical steps for implementation."